A self-storage development proposed for Saugerties, N.Y., has drawn the ire of local residents, although village planning-board members appeared to back the project during a recent public hearing. Real estate developer 42 Livingston Street LLC intends to build a 20-unit facility targeted at apartment residents who live in the area, according to the source.

July 22, 2015

2 Min Read
Self-Storage Project Proposal Opposed by Residents in Saugerties, NY

A self-storage development proposed for Saugerties, N.Y., has drawn the ire of local residents, although village planning-board members appeared to back the project during a recent public hearing. Real estate developer 42 Livingston Street LLC intends to build a 20-unit facility targeted at apartment residents who live in the area, according to the source.

Project engineer Khattar Elmassalemah told the board the facility would accommodate only foot traffic and provide off-street parking. Customers would need to either carry their items to their units or use a dolly. The facility would have perimeter fencing. As part of the project, the developer would repair the sidewalk along First and Livingston Streets, the source reported.

Resident Charles Perry spoke against the project, arguing the facility is unnecessary with four additional self-storage locations within a 5-mile radius, all with vacancies upward of 60 percent, according to the source. “There is no need for this,” he said.

Another resident told the board a self-storage facility targeting apartment renters would be a waste of time because the area includes 15 Section 8 housing units, and renters wouldn’t be able to afford self-storage. Section 8 housing “provides assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market,” according to the New York City Housing Authority website.

Tom Charest, who owns an apartment building next to the proposed site, told planners he believes the self-storage facility would actually make it more difficult to attract tenants. “These shouldn’t be in a residential neighborhood,” he said.

Town officials were generally more supportive of the project. Eyal Saad, the village’s code-enforcement officer, said the zoning for the property was for mixed business and commercial use. Board member Mary Leahy called the project “a disgrace,” but noted, “It can’t be about what we like but what the law says,” the source reported.

Board chair Jeff Helmuth said officials would accept written public comments about the self-storage project until the planning board’s next meeting on Aug. 11. Residents said they planned to submit a petition opposing the project with 61 signatures prior to the next meeting.

Sources:

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